My high beams are ultra-sensitive. If I go over a bump at night they're likely to turn on. Ditto for when I use my turn signals. Needless to say, other drivers curse my very existence at night.

I took the combination switch (i.e. the turn signal lever) out of the steering column last night and had a look at it. I thought maybe I could figure out how to fix this problem, but no dice. There was no obvious (to me, anyway) solution. When I reinstalled it I discovered it was worse.

Tightening the mounting screws a little more will probably get it back to its previous level of sensitivity, but the screws were very tight when I removed it so I doubt I can fix the problem entirely that way.

Oh, and my high beams no longer work in flash mode, i.e. when I pull back on the lever.

So before I go looking for a used combo switch, anyone have any insight into this problem?

__________________
Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...

Maroon, I hope you get some good answers, as I have the same problem and haven't even tried to tackle this yet.

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1998 W202 C230 - The money pit of late.
1984 W126 300SD (356,800 miles) Gone to the wrenchapart
1984 W123 300D Gone to the wrenchapart
1972 W108 280SE 3.5 (sold but not forgotten)
1986 Buick Grand National 3.8l Turbo (86k miles)
1966 Glassic Model 'A' Replica http://www.glassicannex.org

http://banners.wunderground.com/weat...Round_Rock.gif

I had a combo switch similar to the MB in an '83 Maxima. High beams were the same way, and the cruise would stop working when ever a bump like a RR crossing was encountered. Replaced the switch (same price for used as it was for new at the dealer). Ended the problem.

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RRGrassi


70's SPM #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

06 VW Jetta TDI 290K miles

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 188K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

That's not encouraging!

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Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...

I had the same problem on one of my W123s. I could not figure a way to disassemble it to fix it. It also affected my wipers (kicked them on intermittently). I just bought another one at a junkyard. Not much help- either. I hope someone has an answer.

Rick

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

I never really liked combo switches because of the inherant problems like this.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's SPM #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

06 VW Jetta TDI 290K miles

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 188K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Ill sell you combo switch for $20+shippingNope. Give me a part number.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1987 300D Sturmmachine
1991 300D Nearly Perfect
1994 E320 Cabriolet
1995 E320 Touring
2001 Eurovan FOR SALE
1985 300D car, sold and missed.
OBK #42

Winmutt, I'm sending you a PM!

__________________
Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...

Hey, join the club.

I was coming back from CT tonight with the SD and decided to move to the center lane from the left. Hit the turn signal and the brights flash.........the $hitbox in front actually started to move right........ .........what's the chances of that happening again??

Yep, the springs and contacts internal to the switch get old and tired and the brights become ultra sensitive to any movement of the switch. Effectively, the detents are gone.

I've never taken one of them apart.........I just replaced it on the SDL when the washer switch no longer worked.........seems like the SD needs another item on "the list".

Well it looks like Fuzzball and I need new combo switches.

I think I'll try and take the old one apart when I get the new one, just to see if there's any chance of fixing it. I'm guessing there's not, since it didn't look like I could seperate the pertinent parts without breaking the thing. And I'm guessing that installing new springs that must be pretty tiny would take a lot of patience.

__________________
Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...

Pleae keep me informed....I tackled window switches with no hesitation, but not in a hurry to try this one.

__________________
1998 W202 C230 - The money pit of late.
1984 W126 300SD (356,800 miles) Gone to the wrenchapart
1984 W123 300D Gone to the wrenchapart
1972 W108 280SE 3.5 (sold but not forgotten)
1986 Buick Grand National 3.8l Turbo (86k miles)
1966 Glassic Model 'A' Replica http://www.glassicannex.org

http://banners.wunderground.com/weat...Round_Rock.gif

I got a price for this piece here on MercedesShop, I believe it was $119. My brights aren't that bright anyway, so I'm just leaving them off. No other drivers seem to even notice they're on.

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1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

I had the same problems with the switch on my 1982 300d. I took the switch apart 3 times, drilled out the rivets and never got it to work. Last month I got one from the wrecking yard for $20. Found out the one I tried to fix was a aftermarket product. The used one works great.

Well, thanks to Winmutt I have a new combo switch and my problem is now and ex-problem.

Looking at the old one again, it's all riveted so I have no way of taking it apart without breaking it.

Given what nlines had to say, it seems there's not much hope for fixing these things.

__________________
Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...